Rival pub landlords are squaring up in Newbury's Market Place in the run-up to the World Cup this summer.

Bargain boozer JD Wetherspoon is planning to deploy dozens of tables and chairs outside the Hatchet and open from 7am to catch the early bird. Meanwhile, Snooty Fox landlord Matt Castle is ready to launch his al fresco 'mega bar' in the middle of the Market Place.

When West Berkshire Council splashed out £830,000 on the Market Place revamp, it was hoped a mediterranean cafe culture would emerge. Kebab vans were banned, and now the taxi rank is to be removed, pubs are planning to commandeer large areas for those wishing to soak up the sun and catch the tournament.

Newbury's nightime economy has largely survived the recession, and appears ready to attract more drinkers into town than ever before.

Watch this space for details of Newbury's latest nightspot "opening soon"

about as mediterranean as Faliraki then!

Sounds good, I look forward to it and will probably a match there.

Let's hope England exit early.

Quoted from Greenham Common

Let's hope England exit early.

Let's hope they win the thing.

Quoted from user23.3

Let's hope they win the thing.

I think I know the more likely outcome!  

Quoted from Greenham Common

Let's hope England exit early.

Got your ABE tee shirt yet?

Quoted from 78

Got your ABE tee shirt yet?

Aren't they banned now?

Quoted from user23.3

Aren't they banned now?

Banned? A new WBC ruling?

Quoted from blackdog

Banned? A new WBC ruling?

I think they were deemed to be racist and then banned, which is a bit daft in my view.

Who's banned them?  It still seems easy enough to buy them.

Quoted from user23.3

I think they were deemed to be racist and then banned, which is a bit daft in my view.

Where did you get this idea?  It is news to me.

Come on, anyone but England!

Here we go, here we go, here we go... here we go, here we go, here we go,..Ooh Ah! Ooh Ah! Ooh Ah, etc, ad nauseam, or nicked for drunken violence.

ABE

Quoted from blackdog

Who's banned them?  It still seems easy enough to buy them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8533791.stm

Seems they weren't banned.

It's all a bit petty though and supporting 31 teams at the World Cup seems a bit daft however given we've got a few ABWBCs on here it doesn't surprise me.

Bless them.....it's the only chance the Scots have got to have anything to do with the World Cup (again)......but it's good that they're trying.

Here's another http://abeshirts.com/buy_abuff.html


Threep.

Quoted from Greenham Common

Let's hope England exit early.

I can't believe you said that!